Super League legend Sean Long has come out of retirement after signing for the Salford City Reds.
The former Great Britain scrum-half called time on his career in August 2011 following an injury-hit two-year spell with Hull FC.
During his illustrious spell with St Helens, in which he won four Super League titles and twice set the club record for the number of points in a season, racking up 284 in 1999 and 352 in 2000.
Long then joined Salford as assistant coach to Matt Parish before working under current incumbent Phil Veivers following the Australian's shock departure.
Salford are short in the halves following Matty Smith's departure to Wigan and Long could be in line to made his City Reds debut against Widnes on Friday night.
"Just so it's out there. I've signed for Salford and will be called upon when needed," Long wrote on Twitter.
Veivers still hopes he does not need to call on him, with youngster Marc Sneyd keeping the role against Widnes.
Sneyd made only his second Super League appearance of the season in Salford's 24-22 win at Hull KR last week.
"I've signed Sean as cover," said Veivers. "I asked him, if we needed him, would he play and he said 'yes'. It would only be in the case of an emergency."
"I'm going to give Marc as much time as he wants this year to make the number seven jersey his own."
